Timeline for How can I phrase a question about a theoretical event in the past, which cannot happen anymore?
Current License: CC BY-SA 2.5
5 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 5, 2011 at 18:09 | vote | accept | Frantisek | ||
| Apr 3, 2011 at 0:04 | comment | added | FumbleFingers | I can hardly disagree! The point of my post was to say it covers both equally, which I think by definition makes it 'imprecise'. There are potentially two different questions which could be asked, each with a variety of valid, unambiguous phrasings. Would you rather have... is common enough, and allows the hearer to choose which to answer if he wants. | |
| Mar 28, 2011 at 16:16 | comment | added | Kelly Hess | @FumbleFingers: I hear/see would you rather have used that way occasionally, but it sounds imprecise to me. | |
| Mar 28, 2011 at 15:36 | comment | added | FumbleFingers | I agree totally with your distinction, but find it interesting that Would you rather have... seems to me to cover both equally. Which I feel practically invites the other party to say whether their feeling about the matter has changed over time. | |
| Mar 28, 2011 at 15:15 | history | answered | Kelly Hess | CC BY-SA 2.5 |